Deception is one of the main themes in the play Much Ado About Nothing. How does Shakespeare present this theme in Acts 1 &amp; 2

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Introduction

﻿Deception is one of the main themes in the play ?Much Ado About Nothing?. How does Shakespeare present this theme in Acts 1 & 2? In the play ?Much Ado About Nothing? written by Shakespeare, the theme deception is even in the title, as the title has two very different meanings. The first and most obvious meaning is translated as a big fuss about nothing at all. Whereas the second and more hidden meaning comes from ?Much Ado About Noting?, this title is saying the story has a lot to do with ?noting?, also known as acknowledging women as if would want to marry her. ...read more.

Middle

However, up till now deception has been used for good and joy, but Beatrice uses the masked ball to get at Benedick and insult him to his face. She pretends to not know it is Benedick beneath the mask, and then make insulting comments to Benedick who is deeply hurt by her slanderous comments. Beatrice?s most spiteful lines are ?Why he is the Prince?s jester, a very dull fool.? Benedick says to Don Pedro later on that Beatrice?s words deeply hurt him, ?She speaks poniards, and every word stabs.? This goes to show how hurt he is about what she had said to him, while he still believes she did not know it was him she was speaking to. ...read more.

Conclusion

Borachio says ?I am in the favour of Margaret,? I can? appoint her to look out at her lady?s chamber window.? This plan is to deceive Claudio into thinking that Hero is being unfaithful with Borachio when actually it is Borachio and Margaret at the window. So far deception has mainly been used with malicious intent, but Don Pedro, Claudio and Leonato use it to get Benedick to fall in love with Beatrice. ?Bait the hook well, this fish will bite.? Claudio is telling Leonato here to make the most of what they can to convince Benedick that Beatrice loves him. In conclusion to the essay title, Shakespeare brings about the theme of deception usually with bad consequences, with Don John being the main culprit. However he also uses deception to bring people together, Benedick and Beatrice. Ferdinand Warrington English homework ...read more.

Related GCSE Much Ado About Nothing essays

fife, and now had he rather hear the tabor and the / pipe'. Shakespeare presents Claudio's love for Hero as conditional; when Don John, a character renowned for being untrustworthy, informs Claudio of Hero's unfaithfulness, he (Claudio) disgraces her at what is supposed to be her wedding without even speaking to her first.

And for the first time in the play we see that Hero is not the dull mute we see at the beginning: "There thou prick'st her with a thistle' Line 56 Here we see wit from Hero unbeknown to us before, she is referring to sexual insinuation between Benedick and

I do not like her'. From the description he gives, he has obviously studied her in considerable detail. His friends are really making fun of him. Claudio's reply shows completely he is later deceived over the plot about Hero. Here he is all praises: 'a modest young lady', it does

Shakespeare also touches on deception with Balthasar mentioning 'The fraud of men'. Throughout the play, which is laced with darker themes, there is still a strong sense of humour and comedy. This is mostly conveyed through the fast and witty exchanges between Beatrice and Benedick.

Benedick and Beatrice's deception plot is more comical and humorous while Claudio and Don Pedro's is much more serious. The main plot in the play is that of Don John and Borachio's deception plot. However, Shakespeare makes the readers engage so much in Benedick and Beatrice that they are likely to forget that their storyline is not the main plot.

The language Claudio uses can also give us an insight into the character Shakespeare has made him. His characteristics can be reinforced by analysing his speech: his misogynistic views are apparent with the line "beauty is a witch" in act II, i, line 167.

Likewise they may recognise that behind the seemingly casual displays of wit lies true depth of feeling. Beatrice and Benedict loudly protest against love and marriage, but it is with "too much" passion. This insight allows the audience to identify more strongly with them and engage with Don Pedro's motivation to unite them.

is a ?rotten orange? again suggesting that outer appearances can be deceptive and she is rotten at the core. This sparks a catalyst for further deceit where Hero ?fakes? her death. False friendships between Claudio and Benedick are exposed ?I must discontinue your company.? and the calm, tolerant Leonato is